Information terminal apparatus

ABSTRACT

An information terminal apparatus includes a flat plate-shaped conductive housing including a first principal surface, a second principal surface, and a side surface that connects the principal surfaces, and a display provided on the first principal surface. The conductive housing includes a slit extending from the first principal surface to the second principal surface. Near the slit, a power feeding coil coupled to an IC element for an HF-band RFID system is disposed. The power feeding coil is magnetically coupled to the conductive housing via the slit. Thus, the conductive housing is utilized as a radiation element of the HF-band RFID system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information terminal apparatus, andmore specifically, to an information terminal apparatus that performsnear field communication with an external apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, there have been an increasing number of informationterminal apparatuses incorporating an HF (High Frequency)-band RFID(Radio Frequency Identification) system including an NFC (Near FieldCommunication) system and FeliCa (registered trademark). A notebook PC(Personal Computer) is not an exception.

As a notebook PC incorporating an HF-band RFID system, for example, anotebook PC having a structure disclosed in Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 2011-4076 is known. In this notebook PC, IC(Integrated Circuit) elements for an HF-band RFID system are disposed ina housing. In this notebook PC, a coil antenna for the HF-band RFIDsystem is also provided on a back surface of a touchpad. Therefore, whenthe user holds a card-shaped RFID tag over the touchpad, non-contactcommunication can be allowed between a reader/writer in the notebook PCand the card-shaped RFID tag.

In recent years, there has been a request to reduce the thickness ofnotebook PCs. With this requirement, both a housing of a keyboard and ahousing of a display have been metalized to increase strength. However,when the housing of the notebook PC of Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 2011-4076 is formed of a conductive materialsuch as metal, there is the following problem. That is, when thenotebook PC is folded, the coil antenna provided in the touchpad iscovered with the conductive housing. If the notebook PC is brought intothis state, radio waves are blocked by the conductive housing. Hence,the HF-band RFID system cannot be utilized sufficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are configured toproperly perform communication using an information terminal apparatusincluding a conductive housing.

An information terminal apparatus according to a first aspect of variouspreferred embodiments of the present invention includes a first display,a first conductive housing including a first principal surface fromwhich the first display is exposed, a second principal surface oppositeto the first principal surface, and an opening extending from the firstprincipal surface from which the first display is exposed to the secondprincipal surface, and a power feeding coil including a coil aperturefacing the opening.

The opening preferably is a slit, for example.

The coil aperture of the power feeding coil preferably overlaps with theopening.

The information terminal apparatus preferably includes a secondconductive housing turnably connected to the first conductive housingsuch that a first principal surface of the second conductive housing isto be opposed to the first principal surface of the first conductivehousing.

The information terminal apparatus preferably includes a second displaydifferent from the first display, the second principal surface of thefirst conductive housing preferably includes an aperture from which thesecond display is exposed, and the opening preferably extends from thefirst principal surface of the first conductive housing to the aperturefrom which the second display is exposed.

The opening preferably extends from the first principal surface of thefirst conductive housing to an aperture provided in the second principalsurface of the first conductive housing from which a non-metal member isexposed.

The power feeding coil preferably is disposed on a side of the firstprincipal surface of the first conductive housing.

A side of the power feeding coil facing the second principal surface ofthe first conductive housing preferably is covered with a magneticmember.

The opening preferably includes a slit and an aperture from which acamera unit is exposed, and the power feeding coil preferably isdisposed such that the coil aperture overlaps with the aperture fromwhich the camera unit is exposed.

The first principal surface of the first conductive housing preferablyincludes an aperture from which the first display is exposed, and theopening preferably extends from the aperture from which the firstdisplay is exposed to the second principal surface of the firstconductive housing.

The power feeding coil preferably is disposed on a side of the secondprincipal surface of the first conductive housing.

A side of the power feeding coil facing the first principal surface ofthe first conductive housing preferably is covered with a magneticmember.

The opening preferably includes a slit and an aperture from which acamera unit is exposed, and the power feeding coil is preferablydisposed such that the coil aperture overlaps with the aperture fromwhich the camera unit is exposed.

The information terminal apparatus preferably includes a power feedingcircuit configured to supply current to the power feeding coil, thepower feeding circuit preferably includes a variable-capacitancecapacitor coupled to the power feeding coil, and thevariable-capacitance capacitor preferably is coupled to an opening andclosing circuit configured to detect opening and closing of the firstconductive housing and the second conductive housing.

The opening and closing detection circuit preferably is furtherconfigured to change a capacitance of the variable-capacitance capacitorin accordance with a detection state of the opening and closing.

An information terminal apparatus according to a second aspect ofvarious preferred embodiments of the present invention includes a firstdisplay, a first conductive housing including a first principal surfacefrom which the first display is exposed, a second principal surfaceopposite to the first principal surface, and an opening provided in atleast the second principal surface, and a power feeding coil defined bya chip coil. The second principal surface includes a side facing anouter side of the first conductive housing and a side facing an innerside of the first conductive housing, and the power feeding coil isprovided at a position that is spaced a predetermined distance apartfrom the opening on the side of the second principal surface facing theinner side of the first conductive housing.

According to various preferred embodiments of the present invention,communication is performed in various states even when the housing ofthe information terminal apparatus is made a conductive material.

The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics andadvantages of the present invention will become more apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments withreference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an information terminal apparatusaccording to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the information terminal apparatus ofthe first preferred embodiment of the present invention in a closedstate.

FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a region serving as an area capable ofcommunication in the information terminal apparatus of the firstpreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an upper end portion of a first metalhousing.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section of the first metal housing.

FIG. 5 illustrates the positional relationship between a power feedingcoil and an aperture.

FIG. 6 illustrates an equivalent circuit of an antenna device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an information terminal apparatusaccording to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an information terminal apparatusaccording to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a non-metal portion provided in the informationterminal apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an information terminal apparatusaccording to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the information terminal apparatusaccording to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of an upper end portion of a first metalhousing.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross section of the first metal housing.

FIG. 14 illustrates the positional relationship between a power feedingcoil and an aperture.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a control system in the informationterminal apparatus.

FIG. 16 explains induced current generated around the apertures.

FIG. 17 illustrates a communication manner between the informationterminal apparatus and a communication target.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an information terminal apparatusaccording to a modification of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 illustrates a first metal housing and a chip coil.

FIG. 20 illustrates a cross section of the first metal housing.

FIG. 21 illustrates the positional relationship between a power feedingcoil and an aperture in the modification of a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First PreferredEmbodiment

An information terminal apparatus 10 according to a first preferredembodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is aperspective view of the information terminal apparatus 10 in an openstate. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the information terminalapparatus 10 in a closed state. FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a regionAR serving as an area capable of communication. The information terminalapparatus 10 of this preferred embodiment preferably is a notebook(laptop) PC, and incorporates an NFC system as an HF-band RFID system,for example.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the information terminal apparatus 10includes a display section 20 including a display shaped like a flatpanel, and a body section 30 including input devices such as a keyboard33 and a touchpad 34. The display section 20 includes a first metalhousing (first conductive housing) 20 a made of, for example, amagnesium alloy or an aluminum alloy. The body section 30 includes asecond metal housing (second conductive housing) 30 a made of, forexample, a magnesium alloy or an aluminum alloy. The display section 20and the body section 30 may include housings made of carbon fiber,instead of the first metal housing 20 a and the second metal housing 30a, for example.

The first metal housing 20 a includes a first principal surface S1, asecond principal surface S2 opposite therefrom, and side surfaces thatconnect the first principal surface S1 and the second principal surfaceS2. The first metal housing 20 a is a metal housing shaped like arectangular or substantially rectangular flat plate in plan view. On thefirst principal surface S1, a first display 21 including liquid crystaldisplay elements, organic EL (electroluminescence) elements, and so onis provided. On the second principal surface S2, a second display 22including liquid crystal display elements, organic EL elements and so onis provided. The first display 21 is a non-touch-panel display, and thesecond display 22 is a touch-panel display.

The second metal housing 30 a also includes a first principal surfaceSS1, a second principal surface SS2 opposite therefrom, and sidesurfaces that connect the first principal surface SS1 and the secondprincipal surface SS2. The second metal housing 30 a is a metal housingshaped like a rectangular or substantially rectangular flat plate inplan view. A keyboard 33 and a touchpad 34 are provided on the firstprincipal surface SS1 of the second metal housing 30 a. Although notillustrated, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal, video input andoutput terminals, and so on are provided on the side surfaces of thesecond metal housing 30 a.

The first metal housing 20 a and the second metal housing 30 a areconnected by hinges 30 c. This allows the first metal housing 20 a andthe second metal housing 30 a to open and close.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an upper end portion of the first metalhousing 20 a. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a circular aperture (opening) 20b preferably formed by cutting out the first metal housing 20 a islocated in the center of an upper portion of the first principal surfaceS1 of the first metal housing 20 a. The first metal housing 20 a alsoincludes a slit (opening) 20 c extending from the aperture 20 b to thesecond principal surface S2. The slit 20 c is preferably formed bycutting out the first metal housing 20 a from the aperture 20 b to anaperture 20 d from which the second display 22 is exposed. That is, theslit 20 c extends from the first principal surface S1 to the secondprincipal surface S2. One end of the slit 20 c is connected to theaperture 20 b, and the other end thereof is connected to the aperture 20d from which the second display 22 is exposed. The slit 20 c is filledwith an insulating material such as resin.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section taken along line A-A of FIG. 3. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, a coil unit 50 and a camera module (camera unit)60 are contained in an inner upper portion of the first metal housing 20a.

The coil unit 50 includes a flexible printed board 50 b, and a magneticsheet (magnetic member) 50 a disposed along a Y-direction side of theflexible printed board 50 b.

The flexible printed board 50 b preferably is a circular orsubstantially circular member having a circular or substantiallycircular hole in its center. The inner diameter of the circular orsubstantially circular hole is slightly larger than the inner diameterof the aperture 20 b provided in the first metal housing 20 a. On asurface of the flexible printed board 50 b opposite to the Y-directionside, a spiral power feeding coil 50 c defined by a conductor pattern isprovided. On this surface, a protective layer 50 d made of resin or thelike is also provided to cover the power feeding coil 50 c.

The magnetic sheet 50 a is a sheet preferably defined by, for example, aferrite sintered body. The magnetic sheet 50 a preferably has the sameor substantially the same shape as that of the flexible printed board 50b. The magnetic sheet 50 a is attached to the Y-axis direction sidesurface of the flexible printed board 50 b.

In the coil unit 50 having the above-structure, as illustrated in FIG.5, the power feeding coil 50 c preferably has a spiral shape. The powerfeeding coil 50 c is attached on a surface of the first principalsurface S1 of the first metal housing 20 a. At this time, the powerfeeding coil 50 c is positioned such that the center of an aperture(coil aperture) of the power feeding coil 50 c coincides with the centerof the aperture 20 b provided in the first metal housing 20 a. In thisstate, as illustrated in FIG. 5, most of the power feeding coil 50 c iscovered with the first principal surface S1 of the first metal housing20 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the camera module 60 includes a cylindricallens unit 60 a that houses an optical system, and a substrate 60 b onwhich an image pickup element and so on are mounted. The camera module60 is supported in a state in which an end portion of the lens unit 60 aopposite to a Y-axis direction side is inserted in the aperture 20 b ofthe first metal housing 20 a.

When current is supplied to the power feeding coil 50 c of the coil unit50, the power feeding coil 50 c is magnetically coupled to the firstmetal housing 20 a via the aperture 20 b and the slit 20 c. Thus, thefirst metal housing 20 a defines and functions as a radiation element ofthe NFC system.

That is, when a signal current is supplied from a power feeding circuitto the power feeding coil 50 c, an induced current is caused to flowaround the aperture 20 b and the slit 20 c of the first metal housing 20a by an induced magnetic field generated by the signal current. That is,as illustrated in FIG. 5, when the current flows through the powerfeeding coil 50 c, as shown by arrows a1, an induced current flowing, asshown by arrows a2, is guided to the first principal surface S1, theside surface, and the second principal surface S2 of the first metalhousing 20 a. Because of the induced current guided to these surfaces,the surroundings of the aperture 20 b and the slit 20 c of the firstmetal housing 20 a function as a radiation element of a magnetic-fieldradiation type. Thus, a region AR shown by a dotted line in FIGS. 1, 2A,and 2B is an area capable of communication. For example, when acard-shaped tag is held over this region AR, non-contact communicationis performed between a reader/writer provided in the informationterminal apparatus 10 and the tag.

According to the above-described preferred embodiment, since the inducedcurrent of the power feeding coil 50 c is guided to the first principalsurface S1, the side surface, and the second principal surface S2 of thefirst metal housing 20 a, communication of the NFC system is reliablyperformed, regardless of whether the display section 20 is open orclosed. Further, communication of the NFC system is capable of beingperformed from any of the first principal surface S1, the secondprincipal surface S2, and the side surface of the display section 20.

The power feeding coil 50 c is preferably provided on an inner side ofthe first principal surface S1 of the first metal housing 20 a, and themagnetic sheet 50 a is provided on a back side thereof. That is, theinduced magnetic field of the power feeding coil 50 c does not directlyreach the second principal surface S2.

An antenna device for this NFC system preferably has an equivalentcircuit illustrated in FIG. 6. The power feeding coil 50 c is coupled toa power feeding circuit 101 for the NFC system. One end and the otherend of the power feeding coil 50 c are coupled to two terminals of anRFIC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit) chip (NFC-IC) 102 for the NFCsystem, respectively, via various elements. A variable-capacitancecapacitor Cv is coupled in parallel to the power feeding coil 50 c. Theresonant frequency of the NFC system is set by a resonant circuitincluding the power feeding coil 50 c and the variable-capacitancecapacitor Cv. The resonant frequency of the resonant circuit is set tobe equal or substantially equal to the carrier frequency (e.g., about13.56 MHz) of the NFC system.

The power feeding circuit 101 includes a filter circuit includinginductances L1 and L2 and a capacitor C1. This filter circuit ispreferably configured as a low pass filter. For this reason, the filtercircuit attenuates harmonic noise from the RFIC chip (NFC-IC) 102.

The first metal housing 20 a includes an inductance L4 that depends onthe peripheral length of the slit 20 c, and a capacitor C3 providedbetween opposed sides of the slit 20 c. The power feeding coil 50 c ismagnetically coupled to the inductance L4 of the first metal housing 20a. A resonant circuit defined by the inductance L4 and the capacitor C3preferably has a resonant frequency close to the carrier frequency ofthe NFC system, but the resonant frequency may be higher or lower thanthe carrier frequency. The capacitor C3 may be structured by adding acapacitative element such as a chip capacitor, for example.

An opening and closing detection circuit 103 configured to detectopening and closing of the display section 20 is coupled to thevariable-capacitance capacitor Cv. That is, in the information terminalapparatus 10 of this preferred embodiment, both the first metal housing20 a and the second metal housing 30 a preferably are metal housings.For this reason, the resonant frequency is likely to be higher when thedisplay section 20 (first metal housing 20 a) is closed than when thedisplay section is open. For this reason, the opening and closingdetection circuit 103 detects an opening and closing state of thedisplay section 20, and feeds back the detection to thevariable-capacitance capacitor Cv. For example, when the display section20 is closed, the opening and closing detection circuit 103 executesfrequency control, for example, increases the capacitance of thevariable-capacitance capacitor Cv.

Second Preferred Embodiment

As illustrated in FIG. 7, an information terminal apparatus 10Aaccording to this preferred embodiment preferably is a notebook PC. On asecond principal surface S2 of a first metal housing 20 a of theinformation terminal apparatus 10A, a non-metal portion (non-metalmember) 25 is provided instead of the second display 22. The non-metalportion 25 is a resin housing. Other principal elements have structuressimilar to those adopted in the information terminal device 10 of thefirst preferred embodiment. On an inner side of the non-metal portion25, antennas for a cellular phone and a wireless LAN preferably aredisposed.

A slit 20 c extends from a first principal surface S1 to a side surface,and further to the second principal surface S2. For example, the slit 20c extends from an aperture 20 b to the non-metal portion 25. In thiscase, an end portion of the slit 20 c on the second principal surface S2reaches the non-metal portion 25. Therefore, even in a state in which adisplay section 20 (first metal housing 20 a) is closed, communicationof an NFC system is reliably performed. Further, the NFC system can beused from any of the first principal surface S1, the second principalsurface S2, and the side surface of the first metal housing 20 a.

Third Preferred Embodiment

As illustrated in FIG. 8, an information terminal apparatus 10Baccording to this preferred embodiment preferably is a tablet terminal.A first principal surface S1 of a first metal housing 40 a of theinformation terminal apparatus 10B is provided with a first display 21of a touch panel type and of a flat panel type, a switch unit 45, and soon. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a non-metal portion 25 is provided on asecond principal surface S2 of the first metal housing 40 a. Thenon-metal portion 25 is a resin housing. On an inner side of thenon-metal portion 25, antennas for a cellular phone and a wireless LAN(Local Area Network) are preferably disposed.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, an aperture (opening) 40 b is provided in thecenter of an upper end portion of the first metal housing 40 a (X-axisdirection end portion of the first metal housing 40 a). Further, asillustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the center of the upper end portion ofthe first metal housing 40 a, a slit (opening) 40 c extends from theaperture 40 b to the second principal surface S2 via a side surface. Asillustrated in FIG. 9, an end portion of the slit 40 c on the secondprincipal surface S2 reaches the non-metal portion 25. As illustrated inFIG. 8, a camera module 60 is attached at the aperture 40 b. Hence, anNFC system can be used from any of the first principal surface S1, thesecond principal surface S2, and the side surface of the metal housing40 a.

Fourth Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an information terminal apparatus 10Caccording to this preferred embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view ofthe information terminal apparatus 10C in a closed state. Theinformation terminal apparatus 10C preferably is a notebook personalcomputer including a display section 20 including a first metal housing20 a and a body section 30 including a second metal housing 30 a. Thefirst metal housing 20 a and the second metal housing 30 a are connectedby hinges 30 c such as to be turnable about a shaft parallel to theX-axis. This allows a first principal surface SS1 of the body section 30and a first principal surface S1 of the display section 20 in theinformation terminal apparatus 10C to be closed together.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the display section includes a firstmetal housing 20 a, and a first display 21 and a second display 22contained in the first metal housing 20 a.

The first metal housing 20 a is preferably made of aluminum or stainlesssteel. The first display 21 and the second display 22 preferably areliquid crystal displays whose longitudinal direction is the X-axisdirection. The first display 21 is exposed from an aperture 20 gprovided in the first principal surface S1 of the first metal housing 20a, and the second display 22 is exposed from an aperture 20 d providedin a second principal surface S2.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of an upper end portion of the first metalhousing 20 a. As illustrated in FIG. 12, a circular aperture 20 bpreferably formed by cutting out the first metal housing 20 a is locatedin the center of an upper portion of the first principal surface S1 ofthe first metal housing 20 a. A circular or substantially circularaperture (opening) 20 e similarly formed preferably by cutting out thefirst metal housing 20 a is also located in the center of an upperportion of the second principal surface S2 of the first metal housing 20a. The centers in a ZX-plane of the aperture 20 b and the aperture 20 ecoincide with each other, and the inner diameters of the apertures 20 band 20 e are equal or substantially equal to each other. The first metalhousing 20 a also includes a slit 20 c extending from the aperture 20 bto the aperture 20 e, and a slit (opening) 20 f extending from theaperture 20 b to the aperture 20 g.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross section taken along line A-A of FIG. 12. Asillustrated in FIG. 13, a coil unit 50 and a camera module 60 arecontained in an upper inner portion of the first metal housing 20 a.

The coil unit 50 includes a flexible printed board 50 b, and a magneticsheet 50 a disposed on a side of the flexible printed board 50 bopposite to a Y-axis direction side.

The flexible printed board 50 b is a circular or substantially circularmember having a circular or substantially circular hole in its center.The inner diameter of the circular or substantially circular holepreferably is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the aperture 20e provided in the first metal housing 20 a. A spiral power feeding coil50 c defined by a conductor pattern is provided on a Y-axis directionside surface of the flexible printed board 50 b. On this surface, aprotective layer 50 d made of resin or the like is also provided tocover the power feeding coil 50 c.

The magnetic sheet 50 a preferably is a sheet defined by, for example, aferrite sintered body. The magnetic sheet 50 a preferably the same shapeor substantially the same shape as that of the flexible printed board 50b. The magnetic sheet 50 a is attached on a surface of the flexibleprinted board 50 b opposite to the Y-axis direction side surface. Thepower feeding coil 50 c is provided on the second principal surface S2in an outer side portion of the first metal housing 20 a. On a back sideof the power feeding coil 50 c, the magnetic sheet 50 a is provided.That is, an induced magnetic field of the power feeding coil 50 c doesnot directly reach the first principal surface S1.

In the coil unit 50 having the above-structure, as illustrated in FIG.14, the power feeding coil 50 c preferably has a spiral shape. The powerfeeding coil 50 c is attached to a surface of the first metal housing 20a on a side of the second principal surface S2. At this time, the powerfeeding coil 50 c is positioned such that the center of an aperture ofthe power feeding coil 50 c nearly coincides with the center of theaperture 20 e provided in the first metal housing 20 a. In this state,as illustrated in FIG. 14, most of the power feeding coil 50 c iscovered with the second principal surface S2 of the first metal housing20 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the camera module 60 includes cylindricallens units 60 a and 60 c that house optical systems, and a substrate 60b on which an image pickup element and so on are mounted. The lens unit60 a is disposed on a surface of the substrate 60 b facing the firstprincipal surface S1 in FIG. 13, and is used to photograph an objectlocated on the side of the first principal surface S1. The lens unit 60c is disposed on a surface of the substrate 60 b facing the secondprincipal surface S2, and is used to photograph an object located on theside of the second principal side S2.

The camera module 60 having the above-described structure is supportedin a state in which the lens unit 60 a is inserted in the aperture 20 bof the first metal housing 20 a and the lens unit 60 c is inserted inthe aperture 20 e.

Returning to FIG. 10, the body section 30 includes a second metalhousing 30 a made of metal. The body section 30 also includes a keyboard33 and a touchpad 34 exposed from the first principal surface SS1 of thesecond metal housing 30 a. The keyboard 33 includes a plurality of keytops, and switches to be operated by the press of the key tops. Thekeyboard 33 is horizontally supported within the second metal housing 30a.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a control system 90 of the informationterminal apparatus 10C. The control system 90 includes a CPU (CentralProcessing Unit) 91, a main storage unit 92, an auxiliary storage unit93, and an RFIC 94. These constituent elements are mounted on anunillustrated motherboard contained in the body section 30. The controlsystem 90 further includes the first display 21, the second display 22,and the camera module 60.

The CPU 91 reads out a program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 93according to a command from the user. Then, the CPU 91 executesprocessing in accordance with instructions input through the keyboard 33and the touchpad 34.

The main storage unit 92 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and soon, and is used as a work area of the CPU 91.

The auxiliary storage unit 93 includes a nonvolatile memory such as aROM (Read Only Memory) or a semiconductor memory. The auxiliary storageunit 93 stores programs to be executed by the CPU 91 and variousparameters including a parameter to perform near field wirelesscommunication.

The RFIC 94 outputs a voltage signal modulated on the basis oftransmitted information to the coil unit 50 according to instructionsfrom the CPU 91. Also, the RFIC 94 outputs, to the CPU 91, a demodulatedsignal generated by demodulating an induced current induced to the coilunit 50.

The constituent elements of the control system 90 are mutually coupledby a system bus 97.

Next, a description will be given of a non-limiting example of aprocedure for performing near field communication (NFC) using theinformation terminal apparatus 10C. To perform the near fieldcommunication using the information terminal apparatus 10C, the userfirst starts an application necessary for communication, which isinstalled in the information terminal apparatus 10C beforehand. Currentis thereby supplied to the power feeding coil 50 c that constitutes thecoil unit 50.

When the current flows through the power feeding coil 50 c, magneticflux from the current passes through the aperture 20 e. When themagnetic flux passes through the aperture 20 e, an induced current isgenerated around the aperture 20 e. As shown by an imaginary line ofFIG. 16, the induced current generated around the aperture 20 e iscaused by an edge effect to flow along outer edges of the apertures 20 band 20 e and the slits 20 c and 20 f.

The induced current flowing near the aperture 20 e and the slits 20 cand 20 f flows in a direction to cancel the magnetic flux generated bythe power feeding coil 50 c, that is, in a direction opposite to thedirection of the current flowing through the power feeding coil 50 c. Incontrast, the induced current flowing apart from the aperture 20 e flowsin the same direction as the direction of the current flowing throughthe power feeding coil 50 c. For this reason, although there is aninfluence of the induced current flowing near the aperture 20 e, asillustrated in FIG. 16, an illustrated region R is ensured byinteraction between the induced current flowing apart from the aperture20 e of the second principal surface S2 and the current flowing throughthe power feeding coil 50 c. This region R is defined by the currentflowing in a portion of the second principal surface S2 apart from theaperture 20 e, and functions as a radiation plate. Thus, predeterminedinformation is transmitted via the power feeding coil 50 c and the firstmetal housing 20 a.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 17, when the user holds acommunication target 120, such as a smartphone, near the aperture 20 e,from which the camera module 60 is exposed, in this state, communicationis performed between the information terminal apparatus 10C and thecommunication target 120.

When information is transmitted to the communication target 120,magnetic flux generated by the power feeding coil 50 c penetrates thecommunication target 120, as shown by arrow AW of FIG. 17. Thecommunication target 120 receives the information transmitted from theinformation terminal apparatus 10C by demodulating current induced bythe magnetic flux.

When the information terminal apparatus 10C receives information fromthe communication target 120, magnetic flux generated by thecommunication target 120 penetrates the aperture 20 e of the first metalhousing 20 a. In this case, an induced current shown by the imaginaryline of FIG. 16 is generated in the first metal housing 20 a. Then, themagnetic flux intensified by the induced current passes through theaperture of the power feeding coil 50 c of the coil unit 50. Thus,current modulated on the basis of the information transmitted from thecommunication target 120 is induced to the power feeding coil 50 c. Thisinduced current is demodulated by the RFIC 94, and is output to the CPU91. This allows the information terminal apparatus 10C to receive theinformation transmitted from the communication target 120.

As described above, in this preferred embodiment, when current issupplied to the power feeding coil 50 c of the coil unit 50, magneticflux generated by the power feeding coil 50 c passes through theaperture 20 e of the first metal housing 20 a. Thus, as illustrated inFIG. 16, induced current is generated in the first metal housing 20 a,and the power feeding coil 50 c and the first metal housing 20 a arecoupled magnetically. The first metal housing 20 a functions as aradiation element of the NFC system.

For this reason, for example as illustrated in FIG. 17, when the userholds the communication target 120, such as a smartphone, near theaperture 20 e from which the camera module is exposed, communication isperformed between the information terminal apparatus 10C and thecommunication target 120.

In this preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the coil unit50 preferably is provided on the second principal surface S2 of thefirst metal housing 20 a. Therefore, even when the body section 30 andthe display section 20 of the information terminal apparatus 10C areclosed together and the first principal surface S1 of the first metalhousing 20 a and the first principal surface SS1 of the second metalhousing 30 a are placed close to each other, as illustrated in FIG. 11,the inductance of the power feeding coil 50 c that constitutes the coilunit 50 rarely changes. For this reason, communication between theinformation terminal apparatus 10C and the communication target 120 ismaintained stably.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, in the coil unit 50 of this preferredembodiment, the magnetic sheet 50 a is disposed on the side of the powerfeeding coil 50 c facing the first principal surface S1. For thisreason, even when the body section 30 and the display section 20 of theinformation terminal apparatus 10C are closed together and the firstprincipal surface S1 of the first metal housing 20 a and the firstprincipal surface SS1 of the second metal housing 30 a are placed closeto each other, the change in inductance of the power feeding coil 50 cof the coil unit 50 is significantly reduced or prevented. As a result,communication between the information terminal apparatus 10C and thecommunication target 120 is maintained stably.

In the above-described preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11,the display section 20 includes the first display 21 and the seconddisplay 22. Alternatively, the second display 22 on the second principalsurface S2 of the first metal housing 20 a may be omitted, as in aninformation terminal apparatus 10D illustrated in FIG. 18. In this case,the power feeding coil 50 c and the first metal housing 20 a are alsomagnetically coupled, and the first metal housing 20 a functions as aradiation element of an NFC system.

Other Preferred Embodiments

While the specific preferred embodiments of the present invention havebeen described above, the present invention is not limited to thesepreferred embodiments.

For example, in the above-described preferred embodiments, the coil unit50 preferably is a planar coil, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 13.Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, a chip coil 70including a magnetic core 70 a shaped like a rectangular orsubstantially rectangular parallelepiped and a conductive wire 70 bwound around the magnetic core 70 a may be used as a power feeding coil.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, the chip coil 70 preferably is disposed neara slit 20 c provided in a second principal surface S2 of a first metalhousing 20 a such that the longitudinal direction thereof coincides withan X-axis direction. When current flows through the conductive wire 70b, induced current along the imaginary line of FIG. 16 flows in thefirst metal housing 20 a. Thus, the chip coil 70 and the first metalhousing 20 a are magnetically coupled, and the first metal housing 20 afunctions as a radiation element of an NFC system.

In the above-described preferred embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3or 14, the first metal housing 20 a preferably includes openings definedby the slit and the aperture. Alternatively, the first metal housing 20a may include only a slit.

In the above-described preferred embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 5,the aperture 20 b of the first metal housing 20 a and the power feedingcoil 50 c preferably are circular or substantially circular.Alternatively, the aperture 20 b of the first metal housing 20 a and thepower feeding coil 50 c may be rectangular, as illustrated in FIG. 21.In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 21, when current flows through thepower feeding coil 50 c, as shown by arrows a1, induced current flowing,as shown by arrows a2, is also guided to the first principal surface S1,the side surface, and the second principal surface S2 of the first metalhousing 20 a. The induced current guided to these surfaces allows thesurroundings of the aperture 20 b and the slit 20 c of the first metalhousing 20 a to function as a radiation element of a magnetic-fieldradiation type.

The information terminal apparatus according to various preferredembodiments of the present invention is not limited to the notebook PC,but may be a cellular phone terminal, such as a smartphone, or aninformation communication terminal of a tablet type, for example.

The shape of the aperture provided in the first metal housing is notlimited to the circular or substantially circular shape, and may be arectangular or substantially rectangular shape. The width of theaperture may be equal or substantially equal to the width of the slit.Further, the camera does not always need to be disposed in the aperture.The slit is not limited to a linear slit having uniform width. Forexample, a portion of the slit may have a curved portion, a wideportion, or a narrow portion, for example.

The power feeding coil is not limited to the single-layer planar spiralcoil, but may be a multilayer coil having two or more layers.Alternatively, a chip coil including a magnetic member, such as aferrite sintered body, may be used as the power feeding coil. In thiscase, it is only necessary for the operator to dispose the chip coilnear the slit so that an induced magnetic field of the chip coil canpass through the slit.

The HF-band RFID system is not limited to the NFC system, but may be anHF-band system such as FeliCa (registered trademark).

In the present invention, it should be noted that various preferredembodiments and modifications can be made without departing from thebroad spirit and scope of the present invention. The above-describedpreferred embodiments are provided to illustrate the present inventionand are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is based on Japanese Patent Application No.2012-278413 filed Dec. 20, 2012 and No. 2013-138582 filed Jul. 2, 2013.In this description, the specifications, claims, and drawings ofJapanese Patent Application No. 2012-278413 and No. 2013-138582 areincorporated by reference in their entirety.

The information terminal apparatus according to various preferredembodiments of the present invention is suitable for near fieldcommunication with an external apparatus.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will beapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention,therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.

1. (canceled)
 2. An information terminal apparatus comprising: a firstdisplay; a first conductive housing including a first principal surfacefrom which the first display is exposed, a second principal surfaceopposite to the first principal surface, and an opening extending fromthe first principal surface from which the first display is exposed tothe second principal surface; and a power feeding coil including a coilaperture facing the opening.
 3. The information terminal apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the opening includes a slit.
 4. Theinformation terminal apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the coilaperture of the power feeding coil overlaps with the opening.
 5. Theinformation terminal apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:a second conductive housing turnably connected to the first conductivehousing such that a first principal surface of the second conductivehousing is to be opposed to the first principal surface of the firstconductive housing.
 6. The information terminal apparatus according toclaim 2, further comprising: a second display different from the firstdisplay; wherein the second principal surface of the first conductivehousing has an aperture from which the second display is exposed; andthe opening extends from the first principal surface of the firstconductive housing to the aperture from which the second display isexposed.
 7. The information terminal apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the opening extends from the first principal surface of thefirst conductive housing to an aperture provided in the second principalsurface of the first conductive housing from which a non-metal member isexposed.
 8. The information terminal apparatus according to claim 6,wherein the power feeding coil is disposed on a side of the firstprincipal surface of the first conductive housing.
 9. The informationterminal apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a side of the powerfeeding coil facing the second principal surface of the first conductivehousing is covered with a magnetic member.
 10. The information terminalapparatus according to claim 8, wherein the opening includes a slit andan aperture from which a camera unit is exposed; and the power feedingcoil is disposed such that the coil aperture overlaps with the aperturefrom which the camera unit is exposed.
 11. The information terminalapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first principal surface ofthe first conductive housing includes an aperture from which the firstdisplay is exposed; and the opening extends from the aperture from whichthe first display is exposed to the second principal surface of thefirst conductive housing.
 12. The information terminal apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the power feeding coil is disposed on aside of the second principal surface of the first conductive housing.13. The information terminal apparatus according to claim 12, wherein aside of the power feeding coil facing the first principal surface of thefirst conductive housing is covered with a magnetic member.
 14. Theinformation terminal apparatus according to claim 12, wherein theopening includes a slit and an aperture from which a camera unit isexposed; and the power feeding coil is disposed such that the coilaperture overlaps with the aperture from which the camera unit isexposed.
 15. The information terminal apparatus according to claim 5,further comprising: a power feeding circuit configured to supply currentto the power feeding coil; the power feeding circuit includes avariable-capacitance capacitor coupled to the power feeding coil, andthe variable-capacitance capacitor is coupled to an opening and closingdetection circuit that detects opening and closing of the firstconductive housing and the second conductive housing.
 16. Theinformation terminal apparatus according to claim 15, wherein theopening and closing detection circuit is configured to change acapacitance of the variable-capacitance capacitor in accordance with adetection state of the opening and closing.
 17. An information terminalapparatus comprising: a first display; a first conductive housingincluding a first principal surface from which the first display isexposed, a second principal surface opposite to the first principalsurface, and an opening provided in at least the second principalsurface; and a power feeding coil defined by a chip coil; wherein thesecond principal surface includes a side facing toward an outer side ofthe first conductive housing and a side facing toward an inner side ofthe first conductive housing; and the power feeding coil is provided ata position a predetermined distance apart from the opening on the sideof the second principal surface facing toward the inner side of thefirst conductive housing.
 18. The information terminal apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the first display is exposed from theopening.
 19. The information terminal apparatus according to claim 12,wherein the opening includes a slit and an aperture from which a cameraunit is exposed; and the power feeding coil is disposed such that atleast a portion of the camera unit is disposed within the coil aperture.20. The information terminal apparatus according to claim 2, wherein amagnetic member is provided so as to overlap with the power feedingcoil.
 21. The information terminal apparatus according to claim 2,wherein a printed board is provided between the power feeding coil andthe first principal surface of the first conductive housing.